Build: portable lego tray
Now your kids can make their Lego builds on a portable tray AND move all the pieces for easy clean up without destroying their hard work!
Legos are the ‘in’ toy with my kids right now especially with the addition of girl Legos, now all my kids are playing Legos.
One problem – this mess below is what happens every time they build and play Legos:
And forget trying to move all those pieces and parts, it inevitably falls apart.
Now my kids will be building on their Lego trays, making everything portable!
The sides have a low profile for easy access and the tray weighs just over 5 pounds with easy carrying handles:
Each tray measures 20″l x 15 3/4″w:
Here’s how I made the portable Lego trays:
1. Obtain one set of lego baseplates:
2 green and 1 blue @ 10″x 10″
1 grey @ 15″ x 15″
(I purchased these from Discount School Supply but you can find them here.)
2. Trim blue in half with blade:
3. Trim grey piece:
2 – 4″ x 15″
2 – 3.5″ x 14″
4. Layout pieces to check for fit:
5. Cut 1/2″ plywood board @ 14 1/8″ x 18 1/2″ (this should match the layout above).
Using 1 – 1x2x8 pine board cut side pieces:
2 @ 20″
2 @ 14 1/8″
6. Assemble.
I used pocket holes underneath but you could screw from the sides as well.
I also added finish nails at the joints.
7. Add handle:
8. Adhere board pieces to plywood using construction adhesive:
** Check board pieces for fit before applying adhesive, trim edges using scissors to get snug fit.**
Be sure to keep adhesive away from board seams:
Add weight to boards while drying for tight seal:
Ready for Lego building fun!
I’m linking up to:
Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane
SAS @ Funky Junk
Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff
Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z
Good Life @ A Beach Cottage
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
SAS @ Just a Girl
Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage
Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic
inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
LOVE!! What an awesome idea Jaime! Great way to take legos in the car or play outside. Fun.
So cool! Love this idea!
You've had some reeeeaaally good projects, but this is my favorite. So creative, inventive and smart!!
There's a reason "I hope you step on a Lego is such s curse"! You are a genius! No moew stray Legos on the floor.
One word: genius.
I have 3 kids…2 boys, 1 girl. 'Nuf said. The amount of Legos in my home should be illegal.
Very, very cool.
Gfriend that is SO stinkin cute!! Pinning and LOVING!!
This is definitely one of those, "now why didn't I think of that?" projects. Well done!
I would love to invite you to join us and link up at our Friday Block Party at Curb Alert! The link is live now and throughout the weekend. Hope to see you there!
http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.com/2012/05/friday-block-party-6-feature-from-party.html
Tami @ Curb Alert!
What a TERRIFIC idea!
Pure genius I tell ya! Such a smart idea. Love it!!
What a great idea! Right now, my son is using lego duplo, but I'd love to do this when he graduates to legos! I originally saw this on pinterest {and pinned it, of course}, then came across your tutorial on the Chic of a Shoestring link party. I link up there too.
~ Ferly
Gifts We Use {to grow, love and serve}
This is such a great idea!
BTW, I'm thinking of doing this, but increasing the tray's inside dimensions to 15 1/8" x 20 3/16". That way, I'll have room for a 48×64 stud grid, and I can use any twelve 16×16 baseplates — no trimming required!
Also: depending on the colors you want and when you look, the 16×16 baseplates on BrickLink (it's basically eBay for LEGO parts) could save you some money on supplies.
GREAT idea!!
Cute idea. This looks like something I could actually build. I am not much of a carpenter. 🙂
Amazing idea! Pinning this
Amazing idea! Pinning this
Can I please hire you to make me two?? Pretty please?
my hubby is going to love this idea and the bed idea 🙂
Very very cool. Thanks for the tutorial.
Very very cool. Thanks for the tutorial.
This may be one of the coolest ideas ever. Lve it.
We made these and the lego plate set makes two trays! My son LOVES them and we love them too. Easy cleanup!!!!
I just found your blog through interest. It is wonderful!! I am impressed with your set of skills. I can't wait to try some of the projects!!
Is it just me or does the font links no longer work? I have tried it several times and I get an error about a missing file. Does anyone know how to fix? I so want to make this for the boys for Christmas with their names.
FONT: Beverly if you're referring to the personalized lego trays here: http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2012/07/l-is-for-lego-tray-4.html
The font is straight from Microsoft Word, no special link.
Thanks for this tutorial! This is awesome!
Awesome! I'm printing your instructions as I write. Thank you for such great ideas!